The Team
Great Coaches Build Great Teams – And We Have the Best!
At Foothills Nordic, we believe that exceptional coaching is at the heart of every successful athlete and team. Our coaching staff is one of the most dedicated and qualified in the country, including 2 full-time professional coaches, 2 full-time seasonal coaches, 65 part-time coaches, and an incredible group of volunteer parent leaders. Whether you're just starting out or you're aiming for high-performance goals, our coaches are here to guide, inspire, and support you every step of the way. With their expertise, passion, and commitment, our team will help you reach your full potential and exceed your personal goals in cross-country skiing and biathlon. Join us and experience the difference great coaching can make!
Tyson Smith
Head CoacH - biathlon
EMAIL | INSTAGRAM
Tyson’s journey with Foothills Nordic began at a young age, competing in his first cross-country ski race, The Cookie Race, at just five years old. While he finished last, Tyson was still the champion when it came to eating cookies. Over the years, he became involved in Foothills Nordic’s ski and biathlon programs, where he quickly realized that improving his skiing didn’t mean sacrificing his love for cookies. By the age of ten, Tyson claimed victory in his first Cookie Race, and from there, he continued to excel. He went on to represent the club at provincial and national levels in both cross-country skiing and biathlon. Now, as a coach with FNSC, Tyson is dedicated to creating biathlon programs that foster success for athletes of all ages and skill levels, from recreational skiers to highly competitive biathletes.
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Head Biathlon Coach, Foothills Nordic Ski Club (Current)
Team Alberta Head Male Coach 2019 Canada Winter Games
Team Alberta Head Male Coach at 2015 Canada Winter Games
Team Alberta National Championships coach from 2013-2016
Head Coach at 2015 Biathlon Alberta South Korean Biathlon Exchange
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First year nordic ski racing: 1992
First year biathlon racing: 1995
Canadian National Team biathlete 2005-2012
Team Alberta biathlete 2000-2012
First year coaching: 2012
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2016 Biathlon Canada Coach of the Year
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NCCP Competition Development Certified
Georg Jalkotzy
Head Coach - cross country
Email
Georg’s journey with Foothills Nordic began in first grade when a school friend invited him to join the club. His earliest memories on skis are of struggling to stay upright on the icy, windy grid at Canada Olympic Park. As he progressed through the cross-country program, Georg became increasingly drawn to the personal growth and challenge of competition. One of his favorite events each year was the Alberta Cup finale at Mount Shark, where the prize for podium finishers was blocks of parmesan cheese—a tradition that remained unchallenged until he raced in Italy and France on a European tour, where prosciutto was the coveted prize. Georg went on to represent Foothills Nordic at the provincial and junior national levels. After transitioning from racing to coaching while living in Quebec City, Georg now shares his passion and expertise with the next generation of skiers.
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Head Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (Current)
Assistant Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (2023)
Youth Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (2019-2022)
Head Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (2011)
Assistant Cross Country Coach, Skibec (2009-2010)
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Introduction to skiing through Foothills Jackrabbits program in mid 90s
Canadian Junior National Team 2006-2008
Competed at World Junior Championships 2006, 2007
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NCCP Competition Development Certified - In Training
Matt Neuman
PEAK NORDIQ Coach - bIATHLON
Email
After a 18 year racing career spanning Jack Rabbit to World Cup, Matt started as Tyson’s biathlon assistant in 2017. He didn’t know at the time, but all the years he spent focused on training was building up to coach at Foothills.
His coaching goal now is to give you all the tips and tricks he learned along the way. As the 2023 Biathlon Alberta Coach of the Year, he is passionate about helping others through the process of skiing fast and hitting targets.
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Foothills Assistant Biathlon Coach: 2017-present
Foothills Peak Biathlon Coach: 2026/2027
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Started Jackrabbits: 1997
BC High Performance Team: 2007-2010
World Junior Championships: 2009-2010
Racing on the Canadian National Biathlon Team: 2011-2017
Currently running marathons: 2021-present
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NCCP Biathlon Competition Introduction Certified
Mark Toth
PATHWAy coach - ALL PROGRAMS
Email
Coach Mark’s journey with Foothills began a few decades ago, when he came to the club as an athlete training in the High Performance group. Even though his background in competitive sport was swimming, he was a natural skier and built close ties with a number of his teammates, including one young Georg Jalkotzy. Mark has been coaching with Foothills for over 10 years, and is a fan favourite of athletes of all ages and their parents - for the attention to personal development and empathy toward everyone he works with. Not only is Mark passionate about coaching, he’s also passionate about Foothills. He works hard behind the scenes to make the club a better place, whether it be through fundraising, building positive connections, or his ability to generate new ideas. He’s well known for bringing the “fun factor” to practices, and most recently, his love for all things WAFFLE!
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Natalie Benoit
DEVELOPMENT COACH - CROSS COUNTRY
Email
Natalie began coaching in swimming before joining the Foothills coaching team in the 2021–22 season after she concluded racing competitively. Growing up as a biathlete with Telemark Nordic and later training with the Alberta World Cup Academy, she recognizes the life changing opportunities that nordic skiing provides. Fascinated by physiology and the science behind training, Natalie enjoys helping athletes develop, both physically and mentally. She hopes every skier within Foothills gains the confidence to set meaningful goals, work hard towards them, and develop a lifelong love of being active outdoors. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, is a CSEP Certified Personal Trainer, has completed NCCP Learn to Train and Train to Train coaching courses, and is currently pursuing a degree in Physical Education.
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Began coaching in swimming throughout high school then started coaching cross country skiing in the 2021/2022 winter season after deciding to stop racing.
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Grew up as a biathlete with Telemark nordic
Trained with the World Cup Academy
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NCCP courses for L2T & T2T (however not fully certified)
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Honours specialization related to coaching athletes with disabilities
CSEP Personal Trainer
Physical Education Degree (in progress)
Wallis Siemens
DEVELOPMENT COACH - BIATHLON
Email / INSTAGRAM
After spending years cross-country skiing with her family, Wallis joined Foothills Nordic at age 10 when a friend invited her to try biathlon. From windy evenings at the air rifle range and after-school practices in Canmore to team grocery store trips at Nationals and many emotional moments at the finish line, those experiences shaped her love for the sport. Today, as the coach leading the same biathlon programs she grew up in, Wallis is passionate about creating those same lifelong memories for every athlete she works with.
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Biathlon Youth Development Coach, Foothills Nordic (current)
Alberta Winter Games Zone 3 Biathlon Coach (2024, 2026)
Biathlon Bears Head Coach and Coordinator, Foothills Nordic (2023 - 2026)
Jackrabbits/Biathlon Bears Youth Coach, Foothills Nordic (2019 - 2023)
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Began XC skiing 2011
Joined Foothills Biathlon Bears 2015
First year coaching 2019
Team Alberta biathlete 2022, 2023
2023 Canada Winter Games biathlete
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NCCP Competition Introduction Certified
Chris Jeffries
HEAD COACH - MASTERS
Email
Chris is a former Canadian National Team athlete and 2006 Olympian who transitioned into coaching in 2007. His coaching career included Head Coach roles with Foothills Nordic and the Alberta World Cup Academy. Chris is passionate about all things skiing and Foothills, and loves to help skiers of all abilities improve their technique, fitness, and confidence, while creating an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone can enjoy the sport together.
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General Manager: Chris Jeffries
A 2006 Olympian and former FNSC Head Coach, Chris brings leadership experience from Nordiq Canada and the Alberta World Cup Academy. Known for both high-performance expertise and passion for community sport, he’s poised to strengthen every part of our club.
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Program and Community Manager: Serena Moar
programs@foothillsnordic.ca
Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s Youth programs, as well as facilitating club invlovement in community events. -
Cross Country Manager : Carly Frank
cross-country@foothillsnordic.ca
Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s cross-country programs and supervises the cross-country head coach as well as supporting coaches. -
Biathlon Manager : Jodi Glassford
biathlon@foothillsnordic.ca
Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s biathlon programs and supervises the biathlon head coach as well as supporting coaches. -
Adult program Manager : Elise Konoff
adultprograms@foothillsnordic.ca
Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s Adult Programs -
Ski At School Coordinator : Rachel Schmidt
skiatschool@foothillsnordic.ca
Manages our Ski at School cross country ski program accross the city.
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Administrator : Cynthia Mate
Handles all of the day to day workings of the club. If you need help with anything, reach out!
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President : Jamie Grant
president@foothillsnordic.ca
Oversees the running of the Club and acts as an advocate on behalf of the Club’s interests in the community. -
Vice President : Jessica Montague
vice-president@foothillsnordic.ca
Supports the President and serves as spokesperson as needed. Chairs the Human Resources & Governance Committee. -
Secretary : Julianna Fish
secretary@foothillsnordic.ca
Takes minutes at Executive Committee meetings and the AGM and maintains the Club’s records. -
Treasurer : Kevin Owsianski
treasurer@foothillsnordic.ca
Oversees the Club’s budget and finances and supervises the Club’s bookkeeper. Maintains the Club’s standing with Corporate Registries and the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. -
Past President : Yves Matson
pastpresident@foothillsnordic.ca
The Past President assists the President and serves as adviser to the Executive Committee. -
Financial Controller
Manages all day to day club finances.
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Marketing Manager : Bonnie Presser
marketing@foothillsnordic.ca
Oversees all things marketing and communications related to the club. -
Volunteer Manager : Juan Carlos
volunteer@foothillsnordic.ca
The Volunteer Manager appoints and chairs a committee responsible for determining the club volunteer strategy -
Ski Club Clothing Coordinator : Angela Ng
Manages our club clothing orders.
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Confederation Operations Manager: Jason Frank
Overseas the grooming operations at Confederation Park Golf Course
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Confederation Operations : Lenny Valjas
confedoperations@foothillsnordic.ca
Works to keep our trails in tip top shape as part of the grooming team.
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Alberta Cup Chief : Sebastian Haager
Overseas the planning and implementation of hosted Alberta Cups.
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Calforex Cup Chief : Trevor Baine
Overseas the planning and implementation of hosted Calforex Cups.
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KSM/Cookie Race Chief of Race : Jeremy Myers
A man of many cookies. Manages the annual Kananaskis Ski Marathon.
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Peter Keiley
Elected Member At Large
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Shaun Parker
Elected Member At Large
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Rich MacDonald
Elected Member At Large
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Andrew Dowman
Elected Member At Large
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Sebastian Haager
Elected Member At Large
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